Rail anchor



Patented Nov. 3,' 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,559,589 PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD G. WARE, F PARK RIDGE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNO'R TO THE P & M GOMPAIN'Y, OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

RAIL ANCHOR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HAROLD G. WARR, a

- citizen of the United States, residing at Park Ridge, in the county of Cook and State 6 of Illinois, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Rail Anchors, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to rail anchors, and more particularly to'an improved one-piece anchor formedfrom a single continuous bar of metal, which, when applied to the rail, will maintain a firm grip on the upper and lower surfacesv of the base of the railby spring pressure.

One object is to provide an improved anchor ofthis type, which will include a downwardly bowed tie engaging port-ion, which will bear against the tie a substantial distance below'the top surface thereof. The anchor comprises a spring jaw portion at one end of the tie-engaging bow, which grips one side flange of the rail base, and an upset portion at the other .end of the bow for engaging the bottom and side of the rail- 25 edge'at the opposite side of the rail baseu Another object is to provide a rail anchor of this type, having three cooperating railgripping portions, for engaging the upper and lower plane surfaces of the rail base at spaced points, which permit the anchor to adapt itself to rails varying slightly in proportions and size, and having somewhat rough or irregular surfaces.

A further object is to provide an anchor of this type which can be easily driven onto the rail by blows applied at a convenient angle to one end of the anchor. v

A further object is to provide improved means for engaging one edge of the rail base to limit the movement of the spring-j aw onto the rail-base flange.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of one approved form of the invention. T

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the anchor '1 applied position on the rail. which latter is shown in transverse vertical section. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the anchor in applied position. I

Fig. 3 is an end elevation 0f-the anchor in applied position on'the' rail. I r

Fig. 4 is a partial side-elevation, similar 17, 1925. Serial No. 3,608.

to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of the means for the limiting movement of the spring jaw transversely onto the rail.

At 1 is shown the rail, having a base portion 2 which rests upon a series of ties, one of which is indicated atv 3. The rail anchor is formed of a single CODtlIlIlOHS bar of metal, of substantially rectangular cross section, bent to form two bowed i -portion 3 and 4, which have one end 5'01, each in common. The bar is bent back rather sharply at 4 to form a short arm (3, and a long arm 3 forming the larger bowed portion hereinbefore mentioned. The inner free end portion of short arm 6 has an inclined:- flat face at 7, to form an engaging member for the upper plane surface 8 of one flange 9 of therail base. The inner surface of the small b'nw 4 is curved as at 10 to encircle but not have a gripping engagement with, the edge portion 11 of rail base flange 9. The curved portion 10 extends'to the bearing face 12 on the-common end 5 of the large and small bows? and 4.

The bearing 12 is adapted to engage the plane lower surface of rail base 2 at a point spaced from the rail edge 11, but nearer this rail edge than the bearing point of rail-engaging face 7 upon the upper surface 8 of the rail flange. The free end portion 13 of the long arm 3 isprovided with a bearing portion 14 adapted to engage the lower surface of the rail base adjacent the edge of the opposite rail base flange 15. The distance between the upper bearing surface 7 of the anchor and the plane of the lower bearing surfaces 12 and 14, is such that the smaller bowed portion 4 of the anchor will have to be flexed or sprung when this portion of the anchor is forced onto the rail base flange 9. Since the downwardly pressing upper end bearing 7 of the anchor is located between the lower bearing surfaces 12 and 14,'when.

rail, the small arm 6 is hooked over one flange 9 of the rail base, with the long armengage the adjacent edge-portion 3 extending substantially transversely beneath the rail base. The hook or bowed portion 4 is then driven onto flange 9 by blows struck with a suitable implement substantially in the direction of .the arrow A in Fig. 1, so that the bearing portions 7 and 12 are forced inwardly along the upper and lower surfaces of the flange 9-until lug 16 snaps into place against the edge of the opposite rail base flange 15, with the third bearing portion 14 hearing against the lower plane surface of the rail base adjacent the edge of this flange 15. a This operation willcause the arms 6 and 3 to be flexed or sprung apartso that the rail baise flangewill be'securely gripped between the hear ing portions 7, 12 and 14, and the lug'16 will hold the anchor in place and prevent it slipping from the rail, 1n the direction toward the left in Fig. 1.

As will be noted in Fig. 1, a slight clearance 17 will normally remain between the lower edge of rail-base flange 9 and the ad-.

jacent inner surface 18 of the curved portion 10 of the anchor, when lug 16 is in close engagement with the opposite edge-of the rail-base. In other words, the distancebetween surface 18 and the inner vertical sur-v face of lug 16 is somewhat greater than the normal width of the rail-base, to permit application of the anchor to rails varying slightly in this dimension. However, when the anchor is being driven onto the rail, the inner surface 18 of curve 10 will come into engagement with the edge. of rail-base flange 9 after lug 16 has snapped into place,

to limit the movement of the anchor in this direction, and prevent overflexing of the spring jaw 4.

Furthermore, if the anchor tends to become canted or inclined appreciably from its normal position substantially perpendicular to the center-line of the rail, one edge or the other of the anchor at 18 will of the railbase flange and cooperate with. lug 16 to limit this canting movement. Obviously, the lug 16 will prevent the anchor working back toward the left, Fig.- 1, further than to the position shown in that view, with a possible clearance 17 between the anchor and the rail-base flange. v

- In the anchor partially illustrated in Fig. 4, a lug 19 is provided on the inner face of the curved portion 10, having a substantially vertical face 20 for engaging the vere portion-11 of the rail-base flange v tical ed 9. This stop-lug functions substantially the same as the surfaces 18 previously described, but provides a greater rail-engaging surface and a more positive limiting action.

This anchor may be constructed from I standard bar material by simple forging operations. It remains of substantially uniso that the strength and elasticity from riding up over the tie, which'might to be flexed about one rail-base flange so as form cross section from end to end, and is formed with substantially continuous and easy curves, with no sharp or abrupt bends, of the material are not impaired at any point. Since the anchor has only a three point gripping contact with the rail, consisting of the spaced bearing surfaces 7, l2 and 14, the anchor may be fitted to rails varying slightly in size and configuration, and ha ving somewhat rough or irregular surfaces on the rail base flanges. The large down- 'wardly bowed portion 3 forms an extensive bearing surface against the adjacent side of the tie, and extends a substantial distance down along the. side of ,the tie to insure a firm and secure engagement therewith and prevent breaking off or chipping the upper ed ejyof the tie, and to prevent the anchor edge portion of thetie.

I claim: j

1. A rail-anchor formed of a single continuous bar of metal comprising a down-- wardly bowed portion adapted to extend be-' neath the rail-base and engage the tie, and ahooked end portion extending from oneend of. the bowed portion and adapted to be flexed aboutone rail-base flange and engage the upper and lower surfaces thereof so as to hold the other end of the bowed portion in engagement with the bottom surface and vertical edge of the other rail-base flange.

2. A rail-anchor formed of a single continuous bar of metal comprising a doWn-' \vardly bowed portion adapted toextend beneath the rail base in engagen'ient-with the side of the tie, and in engagement with thelower surface of the rail-baselat its ends, a hooked portion extending upwardly and inwardly from one end ofthe bow, and a lug occur if the anchor engaged only the upper extending upwardly from the other end of the bow, the hookedportion being adapted ll to hold the other end of the bow in engagement with-'the lower surface of the other rail-base flange, and the lug engaging the vertical edge of this latter rail-base flange to lock the hooked portion in flexed engage- '115 ment with the rail.

3. A rail-anchor formed of a single continuous bar of metal comprising a downwardly bowed portion adapted to-extend beneath the rail base in engagement with-"the side of the tie, and in engagement with the lower surface of the rail-base at its ends, a hooked portion curved first downwardly, then upwardly, and then inwardly from one end of. the bow, and a lug extending upwardly from the other end of the bow, the hooked portion being adapted to be flexed. about one rail-base flange so asto hold the other end of the bow in engagement'with the lower surface of the other rail-base flan e, and the lug engaging the vertical edge of this latter rail-base flange to lock the hooked portion in flexed engagementwith the rail. j

4. A rail anchor formed of a single continuous bar of metal bent upon itself to form'a long arm and a short arm, there being rail-engaging surfaces on the end of the short arm and near the base of the long arm adapted to engage respectively the upper and lower surfaces of one rail-base flange so as to swing the free end of the long arm upwardly, the bases of both arms remaining out of gripping relation with theadjacent edge of the rail base, and means on the free endof the longer arm for engaging the opposite vertical edge ortion of the rail-base.

5. A rail anchor ormed of a single continuous bar of metal'bent upon itself to form a long arm and a short arm, there being a surface on theend of the short arm adapted to engage the upper surface of one rail-base flange, and a surface on the inner portion of the long arm near its base adapted to engage the lower surface of this railbase flange at a point nearer the edge of the rail-base-but spaced therefrom, and means on the free end of the long arm for engagase. o

6. A rail anchor formed of a single bar of metal, and comprising a downwardly bowed portion adapted to extend beneath the rail and engage the bottom face of the rail-base adjacent either side thereof, an upwardly and inwardly bent. arm on one end adapted to extend around one edge portion of the rail-base and be flexed in its application to the rail so as to engage the upper surface of the base flange at a point. spaced from the edge thereof and hold the long arm up against the rail base, and upturned means on the opposite end of the bar engaging the opposite vertical edge of the railbase.

7. A rail anchor formed of a single bar of metal, and comprising a downwardly bowed portion adapted to extend beneath the rail and engage the bottom face of the rail-base,

adjacent one edge thereof, and at a point spaced from the opposite edge, an upwardly projecting lug at the first mentioned end of the bar adapted to engage the first edge of the rail-base, and an upwardly and inwardly extending arm on the other end of the bar adapted to encompass the second edge of the rail base, and .beflexed-when driven onto the rail so that the upper end portion of the arm grips the upper surface of the rail-base flange.

8. A rail anchor formed of a single bar of metal, and comprising a downwardly bowed portion adapted to extend beneath the rail and engage the bottom face of the rail-base adjacent one edge thereof, and at a point spaced from the opposite edge, an upwardly ing the opposite" edge portion of the rail-' the rail so that the upper end portion ofthe i arm grips the uppersurface of the rail-base flange, at a point nearer the center line .of the rail than the point of contact of the lower bar portion with the the rail flange.

9. A rail anchor formedof a single bar of I metal comprising two bowed portions hav' ing one end in common, this end adapted to engage the bottom surface of one rail-base flange at a point spaced from the edge there of, thelarger bowed portion extending be-, I v

neath the rail-base with its other end en-o gaging the bottom and vertical edge of the other rail-base flange, and the'smaller bowed portion encircling the first mentioned flange with its other end engaging the upper sur face of this flange.

10. A rail anchor formedof a single bar of metal comprising two bowed portions having one end in common, this end adapt-- ed to engage the bottom surface of one railbase flange at a point spaced from the edge thereof, the larger bowed portion extending beneath the rail-base with its other end engaging the bottom and vertical edge of the other rail-base flange, and thesmaller bowed portion encircling the first mentioned flange with its'other end engaging the Iup- .per surface of this flange, at a point intermediate the points of engagement of the other two ends with the bottom surface of the rail-base. Y i

11. A rail anchor formed of a single bar of metal comprising two bowedportions having one end in common, this end adapted to engage the bottom surface of one railbase ange ata point spaced from the edge thereof, the larger bowed portion extending beneath the rail-base with its other end engaging the bottom of the other rail-base flange. adjacent its edge, and the smaller bowed portion encircling the first mentioned flangewith its other end engaging the upper surface of this flange so as to press the other end of the bar upwardly into engagement with the rail base, and a lug on 'the last mentioned bar end adapted to'engage the adjacent rail-base edge and hold the smaller bowed portion in" flexed gripping engagement with the opposite rail-base flange;

12. A rail anchor formed of a single bar of metal comprising two bowed portions having one end in common, this end adapt-,- ed to engage the bottom surface of one railbottom face of H base flange at a point spaced from the edge flange adjacent its edge, and the smaller bowed portion encircling the first mentioned flange with its other end engaging the upper surface of this flange, at a point intermediate the points of engagement of the other two ends with the bottom surface of the rail-base and a lug on the first mentioned bar end adapted to engage the adjacent rail-base edge and hold the smaller bowed portion in flexed gripping engage ment with the opposite rail-base flange.

13. A rail anchor formed of a single continuous bar of metal and comprising a long arm adapted to underlie the rail base and having two spaced rail-engaging portions one near each end ofthe arm, and a short arm adapted to-overlie one of the rail-base flanges and having a rail-engaging surface near its free end which cooperates with the two lower rail-engaging surfaces to grip the rail-base, and a pair of stop members, one near each end of the long arm'for limiting movement of the anchor transversely of the rail in either direction.

14. A rail anchor. formed of a single continuous bar of'metal and comprising a long arm adapted to underlie the rail-base and having two spaced rail-engaging portions one near each end of the arm, and a short arm adapted to overlie one of the rail-base flanges and having a rail-engaging surface near its free end which cooperates with the two lower rail-engaging surfaces to grip the rail-base, and a pair of'stop members, one

near each end of the long arm and spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the widthof the rail base for limiting movement of the anchor transversely of the rail in either direction.

15.' A rail anchor formed of a single continuous bar of metal and comprising a long arm adapted to underlie the rail-baseand having two spaced rail-engaging portions one near each end of the arm, and a short arm adapted to overlie one of -the rail-base flanges and having a rail-engaging surface near its free end which cooperates with the two lower rail-engaging surfaces to grip the rail-base, and a pair of upturned portions, one at each end of the long arm for engaging the edges of the rail-base and limiting movement of the anchor transversely of the rail.

16. A rail-anchor formed of a single continuous bar of metal having three spaced rail-gripping surfaces, two of which are adapted to be sprung into engagement with the upper and lower surfaces respectively of one rail-base flange .in such a manner as to hold thethird surface in spring-pressed engagement with the opposite rail base and a shoulder engaging the vertical edge of this latter rail-base flange to lock the anchor in position on the rail.

17. A rail-anchor formed of a single continuous bar of metal having three spaced rail-gripping surfaces, two of which are adapted to be sprung into engagement with the upper and lower surfaces respectively of one rail-base flange, at points out of vertical alignment whereby the twisting action thereby imparted to the anchor will hold the third gripping surface in engagement with the opposite rail-base flange and a shoulder engaging the vertical edge of this latter rail-base flange to lock the anchor in position on the rail.

18. A rail-anchor formedof a single continuous bar of metal bent to form a jaw at one end thereof, there being three spaced rail gripping surfaces onthe anchor, two of which are within the jaw and adapted to be sprung into engagement with the upper and lower surfaces of one rail-base flange at points spaced from the edge thereof, these .two gripping surfaces being so relatively disposed as to hold the third gripping surface, which is adjacent the other end of the anchor in spring pressed engagement with the opposite rail-base flange.

19. A rail-anchor formed of a single continuous bar of metal bent to form a jaw at one end thereof, there being three spaced rail-gripping surfaces on the anchor, two of which are within the jaw and adapted to be sprung into engagement with the upper and lower surfaces of one rail-base flange at points spaced'from the edge thereof, these two gripping surfaces being so relatively disposed as to hold the third gripping surface, which is adjacent the other end of the anchor in spring-pressed engagement with the lower surface of the opposite rail-base flange.

20. A rail-anchor formed of a single continuous bar of metal bent to form a long arm extending below the rail-base, and a short arm extending over one rail-base flange, there being two spaced rail-gripping surfaces on the long arm, one adjacent each end thereof, and a third gripping surface on the short arm, located above and between the first two gripping surfaces, and adapted together with one of the lower surfaces to be sprung into gripping engagement withthe respective upper and lower surfaces of one rail-base flange, and thereby hold the' third gripping surface inspringpressed engagement with the other rail-base flange and means adjacent this third gripping surface for engaging the vertical edge of the rail base.

HAROLD e. WARR. I 

